Former Indian cricketer turned pundit Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted Indian dough Sarfaraz Khan for special praise after the third day of the first Test between India and New Zealand. Sarfaraz scored his half-century over a run-out before ending the day unbeaten on 70 from 78 balls. Manjrekar praised him, comparing him to legendary Pakistani batter Javed Miandad. Manjrekar hailed Sarfaraz’s approach to batting, be it in attack or defence, and compared him to the “2024 version of Javed Miandad”.
On the fourth day, Sarfaraz Khan scored his first Test ton in just 110 balls.
“Sarfaraz reminds me of the Javed Miandad of the 1980s, but this is the 2024 version of Javed Miandad,” Manjrekar said while speaking at ESPNcricinfo YouTube Channel.
“Very impressed with the way he bowled. We know he bowls well, but I liked the way he bowled fast bowlers,” Manjrekar continued.
Miandad boasts over 16,000 international runs for Pakistan in Tests and ODIs, with a particularly impressive Test average of 52.57, marking Sarfaraz’s high praise from Manjrekar.
Sarfaraz endured a tough start to the Test as he was on the losing end of India’s collapse, scoring just 46 runs. However, replacing the injured Shubman Gill From the side, Sarfaraz impressed in the second innings as India tried to bounce back.
Manjrekar praised Sarfaraz’s performance, especially towards the end of the day.
“Towards the end of the game he wanted to play defense and wanted bad light, although in fact the light was bright. I loved the way he was diving to the dodgeballs, just trying to play all day, so he has that game too. and that augurs well for India and Sarfaraz Khan for Australia because he has also demonstrated that element of the game,” Manjrekar further said.
Sarfaraz has entered into 136 partnerships with Virat Kohli in the second innings before the latter departed for the final ball of Day 3.
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